Paper Craft Workshop: Organize Your Craft Dies

If you are a paper crafter at some point you will be getting into die cutting. These are metal plates when compressed with pressure will create a pattern and or cut a shape into your paper. A die cutting machine is used with the die. It creates the pressure to press and cut the die into the paper to create the design.

Over time, you will develop a die collection that needs to be organized and stored. Collecting dies are lots of fun. And the great thing about them is that they can be used over and over again.

AS with any other craft storage system, how you store yours depends on the number of dies that you have, the space that you have, and the budget that you may have.

We always recommend that you look around your home to see what you might have that could be used for your personal die storage needs.

Another place to look is at your local dollar store. They have lots of interesting storage resources that are very reasonably priced.

I was in my local thrift store dropping off some donations and I found some refrigerator bins that were half price off the prices on Amazon. So, don't forget to shop in the thrift stores closest to you.

What Can You Store Your Dies In?

There are so many options when it comes to storing dies.

Photo boxes
Clear plastic boxes
Divided plastic boxes
Hanging files in a rolling cart, a hanging file box or in a drawer
On magnetic sheets
Die carrying case.
Clear CD cases
Plastic refrigerator bins
Baskets

Die Organizing System

There are a few ways that you can store your craft dies. Picking the right system for you makes your crafting easier and more fun.

Gather all your dies together. Make sure that all the nested dies are together.

Decide the system that you would like to use.

Whatever system you decide on, make sure that you create labels for your dies, unless you are hanging them on a wall system.

If you do not have a label system, you can create labels on your computer and printer. Then tape them to the pocket or page.

Themes and Sections For Your Die System

Edge dies
Fall and harvest.
Father's Day
Floral and leaves
Frames
Gardening and gardens
Graduation
Halloween
Hannukah
Holidays
Journaling
Monograms
Masculine
Mother's Day
Nesting die sets
Sports
Tags
Thanksgiving
Valentines and hearts
Weddings
Words and sentiments

By Manufacturer

If you have a large number if dies, this system may be right for you. This system may take longer to create, but the end result will be a very organized system.

You will have separate bins for each manufacturer.
You create an inventory book or a Rolodex file. You divide your section by theme. So, say you have a divide for "Christmas" You list your dies and show a sample of the die. Then you say which bin that die is located
Each manufacturer box has the same theme dividers.

Now you will know exactly where to locate that die!

By Size

More likely than not, when you are designing, you are looking for a certain sized die to create a piece. So, for some, storing by size makes sense.

You could also store by size withing your theme or subject storage.

Wafer Thin Dies

They are thin dies so they are easy to store. A lot of the current dies fall in this category. There is no one perfect solution, just the one that fits your needs.

Small Binder System

There are lots of different ideas to store your dies that do not use magnetic systems. Jennifer Wilson turned an embroidery floss binder with pockets into a storage solution for her dies. Want to learn more about this system?

CD Binders

Cd binders are another effective way to hold your dies. They are inexpensive and easy to use. You can place the dies into little clear plastic envelopes, so they do not fall out. Or you can cut magnetic sheets to fit the slots. If you have a large collection, you can use more than one binder, The nice thing about this system in that the binders do not take up a lot of space.

Magnetic Metal Storage Sheets

Many crafters swear by this type of system. They are magnetic sheets that are stored in a binder or a bin. The dies hold onto them as if they were glued there. (But of course, they can be removed.) Refill sheets are generally available. You can organize by theme or alphabetically.

Here is a variation of the metal sheets. It uses magnetic strips mounted on pieces of cardboard then the dies are stores on the cards in plastic envelopes. Learn more about this system

Another system that works well is to use vent covers that you can purchase in any home store like Lowes or Home Depot. You can also find these on Amazon. You cut them up to fit a plastic pocket and adhere the dies. The sheets are then stored in the plastic pockets by theme in a bin with dividers.

Magnetic Sheets On A Wall

Some folks like to use large magnetic sheets on a wall as a display. They arrange these strips or sheets on wall space and then arrange their dies in an artistic display. You see the dies and take what you need.

If you use a magnetic wall display, make sure that you wipe your dies with a cloth before using them. You want to make sure that there is no dust on the die that would prevent a clean cut.

In lieu of using these sheets, you can use magnetic knife racks. You can mount these behind a door or in a closet. They are readily available. The magnets are strong.

Magnetic knife racks can be used for die storage.

Art Bin Die System

There is a system that uses a plastic art bin. It is a handled case that comes with 3 single sided magnetic sheets You can purchase additional sheets. The system will bold up to 21 sheets. You can stack these in a closet or on a shelf.

Storing Nesting Dies

I love those sets of nesting dies. There are so many ways to use them. And naturally, you want to keep the whole set together. I like to use a separate section for the nesting dies.

One option is to use magnetic strips in a CD case. You can store them in a bin or basket.
Gather each set. Connect them on C or D metal rings. Hang them on nails on a board or frame.
Use a magnetic white board hung on a wall Just add magnetic strips.
Adhere magnetic strips to the inside of a cabinet or closet.

Here are a few more tips to help you get your dies organized.:

Set up a rolodex inventory system for your dies. Cut one image for each die that you own and place them on a rolodex card. The file them alphabetically. Assign each die or die set a number. You can do this with label maker or with a permanent marker like a sharpie. Set up your rolodex system the same as that on your dies. While doing this takes time, it will also make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
Use clear envelopes to store your dies. I like the ones that have Velcro on their flaps. They stay closed.
Magnetic sheets are one of the favorite ways to store craft dies. They are visible. They stay in place. You can cut them to any size that you need.

Make sure to add labels to the ends of your die storage containers.

More Storage Tools

Here are
some tools that may help you organize your dies, Some of these tools may have earnings that may are paid at no additional cost to you. All earnings are used to enhance this community. We appreciate your support.